"Be Still!"
There are some “Wild Things” in my brain today. I think I need Max to come and tell them to “Be Still!” and then they will shut up and I will crown him King of the Wild Things for quieting my brain. Is this what ADD feels like? Qué pasa conmigo? Perhaps it is because I ate that peanut butter and honey sandwich late last night. Perhaps it’s because my thoughts get interrupted, on average, every three minutes. Perhaps it is because it has rained more in the last two weeks than it did all last year. Which isn’t bad, it just throws me off a bit.
Shall I share these thoughts that are crowding my brain. What if I just wrote them and that made them go away? There’s a thought. And isn’t blogging about sharing? Besides, you can stop reading if you are weary of my complaining/observing/stupiditing (yes, all 12 of you).
-I don’t like it when someone teases me and I play along and then they say “I’m just playing with you” and I want to say “I know” but it I don’t because I think they should know I was playing along. Perhaps I am just a good actress or does my face just scream innocence to you? I know you’re joking. I’m joking, too and now, it’s not fun anymore.
-There is a fat kid at Chunk #1’s school who always likes to get in Chunk #1’s business. Today I witnessed it first hand. Funny how that momma bear instinct can really rage over small things. I want to say “Hey Fatty, why do YOU care?” but I suspect that would be bad parenting. What do you think?
-Is there such a thing as a a Superiority Complex? I believe I have diagnosed this in someone I know. You may say, no no La, it’s an Inferiority Complex. To which I respond, “No,” because then, in the relationship between me and this other person, an inferiority complex would indicate I am the one with the problem. I don’t have a problem. I’m fine. This person, however, is not and, for some reason, likes to always come out on top (for the lack of a better phrase…maybe I’ll rewrite that…maybe I won’t…that is the excitement of live blogging!)
-I find it interesting how my clean laundry can take up my whole family room.
-The movie “Coraline” has made me regret any time I have ever blown off my children while using the computer. (Children, please stay away from tiny doors controlled by spiders if I get caught up in some work…..please…..I’m sorry for being a grown-up.)
-Why am I always so cold lately?
-I hate the telephone. I really do. And please don’t nag me to get a cell phone when I already have a bad relationship with the first phone…..but I see the benefits of texting. (Side note: Please, don’t let that keep you from calling me, it’s you I like, it’s the phone I hate.)
Why did last night’s Family Home Evening go well for the first time in……for the first time (period)?
I want to be lazy today.
Hmmm. Now that I’ve written some of these random thoughts down I think my brain has quieted, just a little.
Tell me, what crowds your brain today? If that’s a personal question, I understand.
Sí, hoy es lunes.
Meet “Rocko”, the pig car. He is well-liked by my daughter because “he can rock-n-roll.” He also used to sleep with her, for protection, I think. I’m surprised Rocko is still with us because he has gone with us to so many places: the library, Grandma’s house, the supermarket, the car (which is sometimes a black hole for toys). Thankfully, Rocko is still with us.
Many of you may know him as Hamm in the movies Cars and Toy Story. But no, in the Blue Bungalow he is known as Rocko, the pig car (and if you watch Sesame Street, it is safe for you to assume where she got the name).
In the above picture, Rocko was set on my bathroom shelf by my daughter. I often find small gifts like these (whether accidental or on purpose) and I gotta say, I don’t like picking up toys on a daily basis. But, this picture of Rocko, this post, that moment in my bathroom when I found him, are to remind me that there will come a time in my life when I don’t have to pick up toys on a daily basis and I will probably miss it. Will I ache for it? I don’t know, but I know I’ll miss it.
What’s on my love list today? This is the only way I can say it: This time in my life where I have children who leave me small gifts in all sorts of places.
What’s on your love list today?
Sî, hoy es lunes.
In the year 2004, El Jefe and I were looking forward to seeing the movie “Spiderman 2.” Whenever it was brought up I would hear El Jefe comment on how Michael Chabon contributed to the script, how it was supposed to be really great, and how El Jefe was looking forward to seeing it (this is significant because El Jefe is PICKY…but not in a bad way…just in El Jefe’s way). In case you need some background on Michael Chabon: He wrote The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (which received the Pulitzer Prize in 2001) and Summerland among many other novels. In fact, I believe I just saw El Jefe uploading The Yiddish Policeman’s Union: a Novel onto his iPod. So, my husband really likes the works of Michael Chabon. And I, through readings from my husband and chances of opening a book to any random page and just reading it, like him, too…and one day I will read the aforementioned novels.
Anyway with that background, I tell my story: So the two of us are sitting in the theater with great anticipation. We have some popcorn, we have chosen center seating in the stadium theater, and just as I stretch back into my chair I hear these words come out of my husband’s mouth:
“You know, Michael Chabon wrote the screenplay for this.”
First I thought he was kidding, so I turn to look at him. Upon seeing his face, I see that he’s not kidding but I just have to ask, “Are you serious?”
Him: “What?”
Me (cracking up): “You have said that to every person that has mentioned this movie. I have heard you say that, like, 20 times!”
Who knows what the truth was of how many times it was said, but I had heard it enough, and I could not believe he was telling me this…like it was brand new to me.
Needless to say, my response annoyed him. He was being sincere in just tossing out this information and I just smacked it down.
But please do not think my husband is the victim in this story. Oh no. He used this situation to his advantage. Apparently, I, too, am guilty of repeat stories.
Me looking at a Harley Davidson: “Did you know that the sound out of a Harley is actually patented?”
El Jefe: “Really? Are you sure? Did Michael Chabon tell you that?”
Me: “What?”
El Jefe: “You tell me that every time we see a Harley.”
Right next to the Home Depot near our house is a street sign. I still don’t know the name of it because every time we pass it I say:
“Every time we pass that I think it says Bernie Mac.”
El Jefe: “Are you sure it doesn’t say Michael Chabon?”
Oh snap!
Apparently I am more guilty of retelling stories than he is. There are plenty more of these situations.
But a couple of months ago I got him good. It doesn’t matter what the story was…. what matters is how awesome it was to say to him, so slyly, “Oh, did that happen with MICHAEL CHABON?!” Ha! It is hard to catch him, but when I do, it is DELICIOUS.
My apologies to Michael Chabon for using his name in vain so often, but he has become our code word for “Hey stupid! I’ve heard that story, like, 20 times!” And it works well for us.
So, what am I saying is on my love list today? The code word my husband and I share “Michael Chabon” that makes us both laugh real hard (and perhaps cry inside, just a little).
What’s on your love list today? Or better yet, how do you and your better half lovingly slam each other?
ps If you haven’t read my last post, please do so and then leave me your comments. I’m really curious. To those who responded, thank you so much. I loved reading your thoughts.
photo by El Jefe
I’m always curious why people start a blog. In fact, when I find a blog I like, I sometimes jump to their first entry to see what they’re all about. I wanna know if they explain themselves a little or if they just jump right in. Is it an avenue to keep in touch with family? Is it a platform for working on writing? Is it a way to relate to other moms? Is it to feed a narcissistic bug? Why do you do it? Why do you make yourself public?
I’ve been asking myself these questions lately? Blogs are interesting for many reasons I don’t feel like addressing here. But, if I’m not careful they can suck my time away.
So what’s my blog all about? This is what I ask myself and this is why I haven’t been writing lately.
To my fellow bloggers, why do you blog? To my non-bloggers, why don’t you blog?
We have drywall, tape, mud and texture up and ready to paint.
My house was very dusty.
We left late for Idaho–a day late.
We were warm and toasty on the drive to the cold and “freeeeeezy” North.
We saw lots of family.
We loved seeing them.
We had a Happy Christmas.
We played in the snow.
We had fun at a cabin in the woods.
We didn’t want to drive back to reality.
We did.
My house looks like it has been hit by a tornado…cliche, I know, but it really does look like it. Really.
I love a New Year.
I want to write more on my blog but my brain is resisting.
Chunk #1 is begging for a snack
Chunk #2 is singing a song and acting it out.
El Jefe has a mountain of grading for his students.
I’m already looking forward to Spring.
Yesterday was a palindrome day and I missed it 01-02-2010.
Merry New Year one and all!!!!
Tell me, what’s your status?
Yes, yes. I know. It’s Miercoles.
I am a funny creature. I have been pushing for getting this last room in our house dry-walled because I know that in doing so, all my dreams will come true. Yes. All of them. And yet, I still find things to complain about. It’s a wonderful thing that we are finishing this renovation. Wonderful. But doing it at Christmas time is messy and takes away my merriness and brightness. Instead I am grumpy at the constant presence of a thin white dust that blankets my floors, annoyed at the way my dining table must be moved to the side and shoved up against the Christmas tree, and bitter about how I can’t have all of my Christmas decorations in the right places. And don’t get me started on the boxes in my hallway.
I know, I know. Cue the violins.
But tonight, something happened. I came home to something very special. I’ve been waiting for a set of shelves that had to be custom cut because of the size of one cupboard. I’ve been waiting so long that I did not anticipate receiving these shelves on this very night. They were out of my mind amidst all the other things that need to be done to this house. But there they were on my counter. They were waiting for me, like a Christmas present. Oh the joy! My bad attitude turned upside down.
I thought about this. Why can’t I just be thankful? What a difference some shelves made. I am so happy. I know I shouldn’t let things outside of me affect my happiness but I guess I’m just human.
Tonight I have many loves for my love list.
Shelves
Mashed potatoes (with skins on)
My velvety ottoman (from Nikki) on which I can rest my feet.
The heater
Great-Grandma A’s retro couch
Breaking all house rules and eating dinner on said couch while watching tv
Blankets
Wet kisses and long hugs from my Chunks
This photo of this wonderful man
photo by La
(as well as hugs and kisses from him)
What’s on your love list today?
Si, hoy es lunes.
Today I love, love, LOVE! surprise phone calls in which I discover there is a great possibility our “Bonus Room” (the last room in the house that needs to be renovated) just might be dry-walled before the end of this month. Do you know what this means?! Oh so many things!
Mostly it means I’m falling in love with my Blue Bungalow again. We were on “the outs” for awhile there but we have come to terms in our relationship and, just like I promised before, I am having a better attitude.
Bonus Room from the outside before her "blue-ness"
What’s on your love list today?
By Mitchellanddent on Etsy.com
#1
Today I dejunk.
Queen of this castle purges.
So long Old. Hi, New!
#2
What to do? Old Books.
College anthologies, dust.
Once burdened my back.
#3
Attachments. To what?
Tokens, Souvenirs, just THINGS!
Free up space, shall we?
#4
Mix tape memories wane-
Can I liquidate them all?
I-pods are awesome.
#5
Organized living.
If you’re there, hooray for you!
But, we can’t be friends.
(Si, hoy es lunes)
Christmas is coming….
photo by El Jefe
It may be a crazy time of year, but, oh, how I LOVE the Christmas Season.
What’s on your love list today?
The following picture represents how we all felt last night after our attempt at taking a Christmas Picture:
photo by El Jefe
That’s right, I am diligently working to fulfill #21 on my Larry Bird Bucket List (click it for an explanation). But by the way my children were acting, you’d think they’d never had their picture taken before.
We promised them In’n'Out as a reward for their cooperation. We gave them three chances. I don’t think one picture turned out. When the jig was up, Chunk #1 asked why they couldn’t ever have four chances. I told him we do it like in baseball “three strikes, you’re out.” His response was, “Well that’s why I hate baseball.” I never knew.
(sigh)
photo by El Jefe
Look me in the eye when you answer this question: How are your Christmas Cards coming?
